The 2nd Abu Dhabi Yacht Show (ADYS), the Middle East’s first and only show exclusively for yachts over 25 metres long, is going all out to woo Saudi Arabian visitors to the exhibition, which runs at Abu Dhabi’s prestigious Yas Marina from February 25-27.
The show organisers say visitors from the Kingdom are among the most sought-after by exhibitors and represented one of the largest markets for last year’s highly successful ADYS launch edition.
“Saudi Arabian yacht buyers and charterers rank high on the prospect list of many of the show’s international and regional exhibitors,” said Franck Dailles, Group Director of Informa Yacht Group (IYG), organisers of ADYS. “At the same time, the show presents Saudi Arabian yacht lovers with the chance to see the latest the industry has to offer without having to travel half way around the world to do so.
“The domestic Saudi market is growing in appeal to the region’s marine industry as a whole. With numerous waterside developments in the pipeline, regional demand for marina-front properties is expected to grow dramatically in the coming years. The hugely untapped leisure marine market is another aspect that is expected to receive a fillip from this development activity. With a sizeable coastline, the opportunities within Saudi Arabia to develop domestic marine destinations is immense.”
The 2nd ADYS, being held for the first time at the spectacular Yas Marina on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island entertainment destination, will host a stunning flotilla of 25 magnificent yachts that have so far been confirmed for the show.
The push to win Saudi visitor support for ADYS comes as Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), headline ADYS sponsor, revealed the Kingdom last year entered its top ten rankings for key hotel guest markets.
“Last year Abu Dhabi welcomed some 30, 717 Saudi Arabian guests to its expanding hotel portfolio, which made the Kingdom the 9th most productive market for us and this is a market we wish to further penetrate as we move along with our target this year of attracting 1.65 million hotel guests,” explained Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, ADTA.
“We believe our comprehensive events portfolio, of which ADYS is a key element, will assist in bringing us additional business from Saudi Arabia, both in our business tourism and leisure propositions.
“We have the right product for the Saudi Arabian market – extremely high-end events, such as ADYS, a growing range of accommodation options with impeccable service standards, the safety Saudi visitors demand from a destination, and the hospitality for which the UAE is known, all within a short flight or drive away.”
According to Dailles, the 2009 inaugural ADYS event saw vessel sales totalling over US$100 million (SR 368 million), confirming the growing importance of the Arabian Gulf as a key super and megayacht market. In addition, he announced that in keeping with Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainable progress, ADYS has made a commitment to assess the carbon footprint of next month’s show with a view to reducing emissions in the current and forthcoming shows, as well as to purchase the credits necessary to offset the expected carbon footprint of the event.
“ADYS fully supports initiatives that will help reduce carbon emissions and promote responsible use of non-renewable energy resources. Our commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of this year’s edition is a contribution to the efforts of the Abu Dhabi government to help create a more sustainable future for the UAE,” Dailles explained.
ADYS 2010 is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Aside from headline sponsors ADTA, other supporters include associate sponsor Aldar Marinas, broadcast partners CNN and Al Arabiya, and The Times, Ittihad and The National as official newspapers
